Oven protector



E. A. ROWE OVEN PROTECTOR June 4, 1935.

Filed Oct. 23, 1933 INVENTOR Patented June 4, 1935 UNITED STATE-S PATENT OFFICE Application October 23,

5 Claims.

This invention is a device for covering exposed surfaces, in such manner as to protect them from injury by movable objects, which may be placed upon them from time to time.

It is well known that modern gas stoves, electric stoves and the like are usually constructed of sheet metal, and that certain of the exposed surfaces thereof are covered by coatings of enamel. Practical use has demonstrated that it is not uncommon experience for the enameled surfaces to change color, or to be otherwise marred when heated objects, such as hot dishes and cooking receptacles are placed on top of the oven, and in contact with the enameled surface thereof, therebyspoiling the appearance of the stove. In view .of these conditions, the invention is particularly designed to protect the tops of gas ovens, electric ovens, and the like, although it is not limited to this specific use.

One of the objects of the invention is to provide a metallic mat-like member, so constructed and arranged that it may be readily placed upon or removed from the surface to be protected. A further object is to produce a device of the character mentioned so constructed and arranged that it may be adjusted to cover surfaces of different areas, or reduced to minimum proportions while not in use. A further object is to provide a protecting device formed of relatively movable telescopically engaged members, having means for supporting it in spaced relation with respect to the surfaces to be protected, and also means for limiting the extent of telescopic separation.

The invention will be hereinafter fully set forth and particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawing:

Figure 1 is a perspective view conventionally illustrating a gas stove provided with an oven, and having a protector mounted thereon, said protector being constructed in accordance with the invention. Figure 2 is an enlarged bottom plan view of the protector device. Figure 3 is a longitudinal sectional view on the line 33, Figure 2. Figure 4 is a transverse sectional view on the line 44, Figure 2.

Referring to the drawing, S conventionally illustrates a gas stove provided with the oven 0. The protector device consists of two separate sheet-metal units A and B respectively, in slidable engagement, as readily appears from the drawing. One end of each of said sections is bent downwardly and then back upon itself as indicated at l0, Illa respectively, to provide depending end flanges. The section A has its longitudinal edges curled downwardly and inwardly to form depend- 1933, Serial-No. 694,827

ing tubular sleeve-like guides I l, within which are slidably and telescopically mounted similarly' shaped depending tubular rails l2, formed along the longitudinal edges of the member B.

In this manner it will be observed that there is a telescopic slidable engagement between the two members, so that they maybe adjusted to vary the extent of exposed top surface area, the flanges It, lea, the guides H, the rails I2 serving to present a neat finished appearance around all of the edges of the device.

Secured to the undersides of the members A and B in suitable manner, are elongated leg-attaching elements C, each consisting of a base 13 and clip-like depending arms I4. 'Each support member extends transversely of the respective members A and B and in effect constitutes an elongated clip. These leg-attaching elements C may be secured to the main members A and B in any preferred manner, but as shown, the bases l3 are attached to said members by rivets. Said members C are so constructed and arranged as to removably engage and anchor elongated depending legs L, of approximately U-shape in cross section. Each leg is preferably constructed of a piece of sheet metal l5 bent to the desired form, andv covered with asbestos or. other soft material indicated at 18, so that while the legs are in engagement with the top of the oven, the protector device may be moved around without scratching the enameled surface of the oven. At the same time the thermal insulating characteristics of the covering will prevent the transmission of heat from the hot receptacles through the tray-like protector to the enameled surface. In other words, the asbestos covering l6 tends to prevent scratching as well as to thermally insulate, and at the same time the air space between the oven top and the protector, due to the elevation of the device by the legs L will allow circulation of air over the enameled surface and thereby also serve as an additional thermal insulation.

Separation of the members A and B may be limited in any desired manner. For purposes of illustration, hook-like anchor members I! are passed through legs L attached to the respective members A and B, and the clips supporting said legs, the two anchor members being connected by a flexible device, such as a chain l8. By reason of this arrangement, free collapsing movement of the two members A and B is. permitted without difiiculty, but separating movement is limited by the length of the member I 8.

In practice, the two members A and B of the protector device are separated to the extent necessary to approximately cover the top of the oven as illustrated in Figure 1. The difference in elevation between the top surface of the-member A and the top surface of the member B is so very slight that the device may serve as a tray or mat-like cover for the exposed top surface of the oven, in such manner that dishes and other receptacles, whether hot or cold, may be placed upon the protector, and be rigidly supported without danger of in any way marring the enameled surface of the oven.

The advantages of the invention will be readily understood by those skilled in the art to which it belongs. For instance, it will be particularly observed that a very simple mat-like member is provided, which may be placed upon or removed from the surface to be protected, and that it is so constructed and arranged as to be readily adjusted to approximately cover surfaces of diiferent areas. It will also be observed that adequate means are provided for protecting the enameled surface, not only from contact of the articles placed upon the device, but also from any damage due to heat transference from hot articles deposited upon the protector member to the enameled surface of the oven.

It will be understood that although the invention is particularly illustrated and described with respect to a gas oven, it is not limited in this particular, but is designed for use on other types of ovens, or wherever such a protecting device may be desired.

Having thus explained the nature of the invention and described an operative manner of constructing and using the same, although without attempting to set forth all of the forms in which it may be made, or all of the forms of its use, what is claimed is:-

1. A protector of the character described comprising two members, one of which is provided with tubular edge guides and the other with complemental edge rails telescoping said guides, transversely disposed elongated leg-attaching elements depending from said members, and legs of approximate U-shape in cross section retained in position by said leg-attaching elements.

7 elongated 2. A protector of the character described comprising two plate-like members, one of which is provided with tubular edge guides and the other with complemental edge rails telescoping said guides, elongated leg-attaching elements secured to the undersides of said plates and having converging depending walls, and elongated legs of U-shape in cross section having their side walls engaging the converging depending walls of said clips.

3. A protector of the character described comprising two flat metal members arranged in overlapping relation and having complemental edges in slidable telescopic engagement, elongated transversely positioned leg-attaching elements secured to said plates and having depending converging walls, elongated legs of U-shape in cross section interposed between and removably engaging the converging depending walls of 'the respective leg-attaching elements, and a flexible stop member connecting a leg of one plate with a leg of the other plate and so constructed and arranged as to limit separating movement of said plates.

4. A protector of the character described comprising two sheet metal members in overlapping relation and having complemental edges in slidable telescoping engagement, a plurality of leg-attaching elements depending from said members and extended transversely thereof, elongated legs of U-shape in cross section retained in position by said clips, and soft heat resistant coverings for the outer surfaces of said legs.

5. A protector of the character described comprising two sheet metal members each provided with a downturned end flange, one of said members being provided with depending tubular edge uides and the other member provided with depending tubular edge rails telescoping with said guides, elongated leg-attaching elements extending transversely of said members and depending from the undersides thereof, elongated legs of U-shape in cross section engaged and held by said clips, and means for limiting separating movement of said members.

EMMETT A. ROWE. 

